Well tools



All@ 13, 1963 G. G. GRIMMER ETAL 3,100,452

WELL TOOLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1958 ffl Aug. 13, 1963 G. G.GRIMMER ETAL wELL'TOoLs 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 23, 1958 INVENTOR SHarry B Schram m Gegnge G. Grmmer ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent O3,199,452 WELL TOGLS George G. Grimmer, Dalias, Tex., and Harry B.Schramm, deceased, late of Dallas, Tex., by Josephine Schramm,executrix, Dallas, Tex., assignors, by mesne assignments, to OtisEngineering Corporation', Dallas,

Tex., a corporation ot Delaware f Filed June 23, 1958, Ser. No. 743,66 gClaims. `(Cl. 10S-232) This invention relates towell tools and moreparticu-V larly to gas lift valves and to` nipples connectable in a Welltubing string `for use with such gas lift valves. An Vobject of theinvention to provide` a gas lift valve which is removably disposed andlocked in position in a well pipe and which may be shiited from oneposition to another in the well pipe without being released from lockedposition in the pipe for selectively directing the flow of lifting gasinto the well pipe to the `gas lift valve directly into the well pipebypassing the valve. t

An object .of the invention is to provide a gas lift valve and a portedlanding nipple in which the valve is removably positionable, and whereinthe gas lift valve is shiftable without removal lfrom the nipple betweenya lirst position in which the gas lift valve is disposed adjacent theport of the nipple to direct any fluid ilow through the port and throughthe valve and a second position in which the gas lift valve permitsunobstructed fluid tlow through the port into the ilow passage of thenipple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a landing nipple of thecharacter described wherein the landing nipple is provided with avalve-reivi-ng pocket laterally displaced from bore or flow passage ofthe nipple and ofthe bore of the well pipe in which the nipple isinstalled to provide a continuous unobstructed bore through the welllpipe.

A lfurther object of .the invention is to provide a landing nipple ofthe character described in which a gas lift valve installed therein maybe moved by means of customary ilexible line methods Iand meanslongitudinally in the nipple between the positions previously described.

A still further object is to provide a landing nipple of the characterdescribed wherein a sleeve is slidable longitudinally in the nipple tomove the gas lift valve between the iirst and lthe second positions inthe nipple, the sleeve being slidable by means of a customary ilexibleline op-4 erated mechanism.

IStill another object is to provide a landing nipple of the characterdescribed wherein a sleeve slidable therein is releasably restrained inits two extreme positions.

A still lfurther object of the invention is to provide a landing nippleand a gas lift valve removably position-` able therein of the characterdescribed wherein the valve is movable longitudinally in the nipple bythe application of a direct upward or downward force thereto.

Another object is to provide a shifting or moving tool having meansengageable with a *sleeve rfor shifting the sleeve longitudinally in alanding nipple, the shifting tool being releasable from engagement withthe sleeve after the sleeve has been shifted. t

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent `from the reading of the following description of devicesconstructed in accordance with the invention, rand reference to theaccompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is Ia View, partly in elevation and partly in 3,lilll,452Patented Aug. 13, 1963 ice' FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view, similar toFIGURE l, showing details of the shifting tool and the lower end of thelanding nipple;

FIGURE 3 is :a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing the sleeve and gas liftvalve moved to ya. position wherein the valve does not obstruct the treeiiow of iluids through `the ports of the nipple;

through the ports `of the nipple into the nipple is un? obstructed bythe valve;

`FIGURE 8 is a Asectional View taken on the line 8-8 ofvFiGURE 7 FIGURE9 is a `sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE l0 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a gaslift valve installed in a still further modiiied nipple wherein thevalve fis movable by a direct upward or downward Vforce thereon betweena position directing flow through-the ports of the 'nipple into the gaslift valve and a position permitting the ilow through the ports directly.into the nipple, bypassing the valve, the valve being shown inflow-direction position; `and FIGURE l1 is a View, similar to FIGURE 10,showing the gastlift Valve in the position permitting flow directly intothe nipple. A

Referring now to FIGURES l through 5 of the drawings, the numeral itlrefers to a landing nipple which is threadedly connected in a string ofwell pipe` or tubing 11. The landing nipple is enlarged intermediate itsends and is provided with a tubular pocket 12 laterally dis placed fromthebore through the well pipe. An upper eccentric iitting 13 and 'alower eccentric fitting 14a provide for the proper displacement of thepocket from the bore of the well pipe and for the alignment of thesections of ,well pipe aboveand below the landing nipple to establish anunobstructed passage through bore or flow passage 14 of the nippleunrestricted below the diameter of the well pipe. t

A plurality of lateral `ports 15 through the outer wall of the pocketprovide fluid communication between the exterior of the nipple and theinterior of the pocket. A gas lift valve 16 is removably positioned inthe pocket and is provided with upper rand lower packing means 17 and 13which are spaced apart to seal on. either side .of the lateral por-ts ofthe pocket. When the packing means seal `on either side of the lateralports, any flow through the ports iscont-rolled by the gas lift valve15.

' The gas lift valve is provided with a fishing neck or head 19 at itsupper end by which it is lowered into and installed in the pocket bymeans of the usual flexible line apparatus. An yannular latching flange20 adjacent the lower end lof the valve is provided for engagement byV asection, showing a ported landing nipple in accordance latch means \21in a manner to be more fully hereinafter described.

The flower par-t ofthe bore of the lower eccentric fitting is enlarged,and a sleeve 22 is positioned therein for longitudinal sliding movement.A lower sub 2.3` is welded in the lower end of the bore of the lowereccentric tting to provide the connection with the tubing 11 land tolimit Y downward movement of the sleeve in the fitting. Upward movementof the sleeve is limited by its engagement with a downwardly `facingshoulder 24 in the bore of the lower eccentric tting.

arcanes A resilient latch arm 25, welded or otherwise atlXed to thesleeve, extends upwardly from the sleeve toward the lower end of thepocket aand is aligned with the inner wall thereof. The latch armextends upwardly between he'legs'; of a el-shaped guide channel 2,7,vthe ends of the legs being welded to the inner wall of the nipple bearmaway from lthe pocket;V A lateral pin Zlyvex'ten'ds between the vlatcharm to restain the latch arm from move-l ment toward V.the pocketV andcooperates Vwith an upper protrusi'onktl on the outer surface v ofthelatch arm to form a detent means to holdthe sleeve and latch arm in itslower position, the lateral 'pin'fdeileotingresiliently to allowtheprotirusion .3-tfto pass the pin onthe applicationV of a suicientlongitudinal force to the sleeve. The sleeve and latch arm, on movement,to the lowermost position l .in the nipple, are thus releasably held inthe lowermost position against inadvertent movement therefrom. A similarlower protrusion 36a on the latch arm coacts'wi-th the lateral'pin toreleasably hold the sleeve and the latch t arm in the uppermost positionagainst inadvertentmovement therefrom when :the sleeve is moved to theVuppermost position,

The vupper face `of the latch means is provided with a la-tching notchor groove 3l in its outer `face which engages the latching ilange 2d ofthe gas lift valve to lock the gas lift valve tothe latch means. Therupper face of the latch means is downwardlyv and outwardly beveled at32 for engagement by thelatching flange of the gas lift y valve as thevalve is inserted into the pocket so that the v `flange cams the latchmeans away from the pocket to allow the latching ange to enter tielatching groove. The upper face 33 of thelatching lange is slightlybeveled 'downwardly to provide a cam to deflect the latch means awayfromthe pocket 'on the application of a` certain upward force to the gaslift valve, thereby allowing the valve Vto be disengagedL from the`'latch groove or recess of the latch means on upward movement of .thevalve. Y With the latch means disengaged from the valve,` the valve canbe removed upwardly romthe*pocket and from the well.

The gas liftV valve is thus looked in position inthe pocket by meansofthe latch means 2l attached to the sleeve 2;'.- When the sleeve .is inthe upper position as t shown in VFlGURE 2 the packing means 17 and 1Sare positioned Ito seal iabovewand below, respectively, the

lateral ports lS ofthe pocket, -there'oy idirecting any flow through theports into ,the gas li-ftvalve, thence into the pocket 12 and upwardlyinto ythe flow passage 14 of the nipple.

The gaslift valveV is of any suitable design, for veXample the typeshown in the patent to Bryan, 2,828,698, and

vis therefore not described in detail.

",'When the sleeve is-rnoved tothe'flower position as shown in FIGURES',the upper packing means 17 is moved'out of sealing engagement with thepocket above the lateral ports 'and into alignment with an internalannular, recess or groove ,3d in the pocket into which the Y ports open.

pocket', a ow course is provided from the lateral ports upwardly aroundthe upper packing -means and around Y ith the valveithus positioned inthe the upper end of the valfvewlthrough the upper end of the pocketinto the flow passage 1d.

T he sleeveV Z2 has an internal annular groove 35' which is beveled atits upper and lower ends for engagement by a suitable shifting tool sothat the sleeve and consequently Vthe gas lift valve may be movedlongitudinally in :the

nipple between the upper and lower positions.

A shifting tool, designated generally by the numeral -A .dit is loweredby means of the customary ilexible line 41 and llexible line operatedtool '4Z which tools include a set of Stroke jars/s3 fordeliveringupward or downward vjarring b-lowstc the shifting tool.

. V lowthe pocket Ato maintain the latch 'arm in proper `alignt finentwith'ftheA pocket.' The transverse member 28 connecting the Iends yofthe legs of the guide channelserves Yas a stop member to limit lateralmovemento'f the latch i0' d The shitfingtoolV includes `a centralmandrel d4 which is attached to the lower end of a lfishing neck 45which is in turn attached to the flexible line operated tools. The yintermediate sect-londo lof the mandrel is Vreduced in diameter fromtheV diameter of .the Venlarged or upper portion 45a and a taperedshoulder 47' is provided at the point of reduction of the intermediatesection. The lower section 48 of the mandrel is`fu-rtl1er reduced inVdiameter andfis threaded into a locking `washer 49' `and a lower.

A tubular body 5l is providedl above the locking washer' 49k and looselysurrounds the mandrel. A catch- VSi. The upper ends of the dogs protrudeoutwardly and upwardly through corresponding slots 57 in the body`V whenthe body is ina lower position abutting the locking washer 49.' A snapWire 53 lis carried on the outer surface ofthe dog holder for engagementin an internal groove 59 lof the body to retain the body in the lowerposition.V Y

A compression spring 6d is disposed in the body and abuts the upper endof the dog holder and the Vlower face of a bearing Washer 61 whichengages an inturned annular flange at the upper end of the body, thespring urging the body upwardly relative 'to lthe dog holder against therestraining action of the snapwire in the groove 59.

A tubular shifting key carrier 62 is slidably positioned on the mandrel44- above the tubular body 5l vand carries Y a plurality of shiftingvkeys 63 in correspondingrkey slots 63a provided in the carrier. Thekeys are movable laterally in the key slots between inner retractedpositions and outer projecting positions, the outward movement of saidkeys being limited by retaining ears 64 on the ends of the Vkeys whichengage the carrier.

Upward movement `of the tubular body 5l andthe key carrier 62 is'limitedby the engagement of the carrier with lthelower face of an annularcollar 65 which is secured by means of a pin 66 t-o the upper part ofthe mandrel. The upper face of thecollarabuts the'lo-wer end of theiishing neck to form a solid metal-to-metal contact therei between.

l The shiting tool is assembled with the catch dogs Si; moved inwardlyyagainst the biasing force` ofthe dog springs 56 and the tubular bodymoved against the resiliency lof the compression spring to its lowerposition around catch dogs to abut the locking washer, the slots 57 inthe bodybeing aligned with fthe catch dogs'so that the upper end of thedogs protrude through the slots.V The dog carrier is retained in itsupper position engaging the shoulder 53 on the mandrel by the engagementof the snap wire 58 in the internal groove 59 in the body.

then positioned behind the shifting keys, the reduced sec- Y tionpermitting the keys to move inwardly kto retracted position. As theshifting tool is lowered through the tub-l ing string and the landingnipple, the upper ends yof the catch dogs are biasedinto contact withthe walls of said tubing and landing nipple yand are cammed inwardly onmeeting obstructions. The. beveled shoulders 6d .of the keys cam theminwardly toward retracted positions as theV tool meets and passesobstructions.

When the shifting tool descends into the landing nipple 1) to a positionwherein the dogs 54 are positioned below the lower'sub 23, the `shiftingtool is raised, and the catch dogs engage the lower end of the Ilowersub since they then protrude into the recess `formed at the coupling 67;An upward pull on the mandrel then causes the snap wire The intermediatereduced section of the mandrel is 58 on the dog holder 52 to bedisengaged from the groove 59 in the body, and the compression spring 6hmoves the dog holder downwardly `against the locking washer 49 andsimultaneously urges the tubular body 51 upwardly.

Upward movement of the tubular body causes the lower edges of the slots57 to engage the catch dogs and cam the dogs inwardly against the biasof the dog springs, the dogs thus being retracted within the body. Asthe body is moved upwardly on the mandrel, the tapered shoulder 47 ofthe mandrel engages the inner surfaces of the shifting keys to cam thekeys outwardly toward projecting position. As the upward movement' ofthe shifting tool is continued, :the keys 63 enter the recess 35 in thesleeve 22, whereupon the relative movement between the body and themandrel is completed, the upper section 46a of the mandrel beingpositioned behind the shitting keys and abutting the inner surfaces ofsaid-keys to retain them in projecting position.

Downward jarring blows are then delivered to the shifting tool by meansIof the llexible line land the stroke jars 43 to move the sleeve 22downwardly in thehousing from the position shown in FIGURE 2 to thatshown in FG- URE `3, the jarring blows being transmit-ted through thefishing neck 45, the collar 66 and the keys 63 to the sleeve. Theprotrusion 30 and Ithe lateral pin 29 engage one another to hold thesleeve in its lower position in the manner already noted. The gas liftvalve is thus moved Vfrom the position directing flow from the ports ofthe nipple through the valve (FIGURE 2) to the position in which saidilow through said ports is directed upwardly around the gaslift valvethrough `the pocket 12 of the landing nipple (FIGURE 3) into the bore orflow passage 14 thereof.

The shifting tool may be removed by an upward pull thereon, the mandrelinitially being moved upwardly relative to the Ibody and the shiftingkeys against the biasing `force of the compression spring. As themandrel is moved upwardly relative to the keys, the reduced intermediatesection 46 of the mandrel is positioned behind the keys, thus freeingthe keys `for inward movement. The upper shoulders `69 of the keys arebeveled so that they are cammed inwardly on contact with the beveledupper edge of the recess 35. The shifting tool is thus removed from thelanding nipple and ,from the tubing 1 string leaving the gaslift valvein the lower position shown in FIGURE 3, upward movement of the sleeve22 and of the valve being restrained by the :engagement of theprotrusions or boss 30 with the pin 29.A

When it is desired to move lthe sleeve to the upper position (FIGURE 2)in which the lgas `liftvalve is located to direct the flow of uids fromthe ports 15 of the pocket through said valve, the shifting tool isaltered as will now be described.

The mandrel 44 .of the shifting tool, together with the locking washer49, the catch ldog holder 52, the body 51, the compression spring Gil,the bearing washer I61, thekey carrier 62, the keys 63, the collar 66and the pin 67 are removed as a unit .from the lishing neck 45 and fromthe lower sub 59. The mandrel and the attendant members are turnedend-for-end and reconnected to the itishing neck and to the lower sub sothat the catch tdog holder is near the upper part of the shifting tooland the key carrier is near the lower end of said tool. The lockingmember 49 then engages the lower end .of the iishing neck 45V and theannular collar 65 is abutted by the upper end of the lower sub 50. Thecatch dogs and the dog springs are removed by driving out the dog pivotpins 7l) by which the dogs are attached to the dog holder, and the snapwire 5S is removed from the idog holder as it is not now desired t-olatch the body to the dog holder.

The compression spring urges the body downwardly on the mandrel and thusurges the key carrier and the keys downwardly around the enlargedportion 46a of the mandrel so that the enlarged portion abuts the innersurfaces of `the keys to hold the keys in projecting position. The keycarrier abuts the collar which limits the downward movement of thecarrier on the mandrel. The diameter of the upper portion '71 of thelower sub is the same as that of the enlarged portion 46a of themandrel, that the intermediate section 72 of said lower sub is reduce-d,and that an enlarged lower head 73 of diameter greater than that of theupper portion is provided on the lower end of the lower sub. Thepurposeof lthis contiguration ofthe lower sub `will be explained more fullyhereinafter.

Manifestly, the key carrier and the body may bernoved upwardly on themandrel against the force of the compression spring so that the reducedintermediate section 46 `ott the mandrel is positioned behind theshifting keys so that the keys are freed kfor inward movement toretracted positions. When the tool is inserted in the tubing string forlowering therein, the compression spring urges the body and the keycarrier downwardly on the mandrel, the keys being cammed outwardly intoengagement with the wall of the tubing by their engagement with thetapered surface 47 on the mandrel. The dimensions of the keys and theIdiameter of the tubing are such, however, that the keys may not move tofully projecting positions, and the carrier -is thus prevented frommoving downwardly over the enlarged portion 46a of the mandrel. As thetool moves through an enlarged section in the tubing string, such, forexample, as the upper section of the landing nipple 1G, [the keys arefreed for outward movement and the carrier and the body move downwardlyon the mandrel to the position in which the keys are moved to their`fully projecting positions.

As the tool re-enters a smaller section of the tubing having a diametercorresponding to the main portion of the tubing string, as for example,the sleeve 22, the beveled shoulders `69 of the keys engage the upperend of said section to arrest the downward movement of the carrier andthe housing. The mandrel is moved downwardly against the Iforce .of thecompression spring until the intermediate section is positioned behindthe keys whereupon the keys are freed for inward movement, the beveledshoulders 69 camming the keys inwardlly.

The keys are cammed outwardly into the recess 35 of the sleeve 22 by theaction of lthe compression spring and the cani shoulder 47 in the mannerpreviously descri-hed, and the enlarged `section of the mandrel is movedupwardly behind the-keys toV hold the keys in expanded positions.

p Upward jarring blows are then delivered to the shifting tool bymeansof the stroke jars and the flexible line to move the sleeve and the gaslift valve upwardly from the position shown in PGURE 3 to that shown inFIGURE 2. rIhe protrusion 30 and the lateral pin 29 releases the sleevefor upward movement on the application of a suicient upward torce, aspreviously noted until upward movement of the sleeve 22, and thereforeof the valve, isV stoppedby the engagement of the protrusion .or boss30a with the pin 29.

Upward jarring blows of greater magnitude then delivered to the mandrelshear the pin 66, and the mandrel moves upwardly relative to the keycarrier and the collar until the head 73 or the lower sub engages thecollar. The intermediate section of the lower sub is now positionedbehind the keys to` rtree the keys for inward movement. The beveledshoulders 68 of the keys cam the keys inwardly, disengaging the shiftingtool from the sleeve so that the ltool` may be removed upwardlyv fromthe nipple and -frorn the tubing string.

The .gas lift valve -is initially installed in the pocket of the landingnipple by means of a suitable -iiexible line operating mechanismincluding a `dellecting tool (not shown) Iand is locked 1in position inthe pocket by the latch means 2.1 lin the manner `already described.

When it is desired to remove the gas lift valve from the nipple, aretrieving tool (not sho-wn) suitable for envalve Vis enga-geable.

v *means away lfrom holdin-g engagement with said llange. f Re gas liftvalvev is thus lfreed for removal Afrom the nipple and from the tubingstring. Y

lt-is obvious that :a durnrry valve o-r pb-lind7 valve (notehownywhiehdoes not permit ow vtherethrough can Y be installed'insteadIof the gais lift valve le lin whiohevent,l

when the dummy valve is in the upper position shown in FIGURE 2, llowthrough the ports l is `completely closed off,V .and when Vsuchldummyfvalve lis in the lower position of FIGURE 3 tue ports ll-areopened as pre- `viously described to permit llow therethrough.

llt is also obvious that any other suitable shifting tool could be usedto move the sleeve longitudinally in the landing nipple.

it will be seen that a ported landing nipple and -a removable gas liftvalve therefor have been :shown and described, the landing nippleincluding Inova-ble means by which the gas lift valve is shifta-blebetween a position wherein the ilo-W =frorn`the exterior of the nipplethrough the ports of said landing nipple is directed through the valveto the flow passage of the nipple and a position wherein the llow isdirected to the `low passage without passage through the valve. Y

It .willwbe seen that the valve is shifted longitudinally inthe nippleby means or a sliding sleeve and that a means is provided to releasa'olyhold the sleeve and valve'in the lower and upper posi-tions in thenipple.

lt will also be seen that the valve is installed in and removed lfromposit-ion in the landing nipple by means of a direct downward or upwardlforce thereon.

Referring now to FGURES 6 through 9, la mod-ilied tform of landingnipple-ii@ and gas lift valve 8l `are shown. A pocket 82 oilsetlaterally vfrom the bore or llow passage 'da of the nippleprovides [asealing surface tor the 1 upper Iand lower pacldn'gmeans 17 and ,i8 ofthe gas lift valve forv sealing therewith above andbelow the lateralports l5 of the ynipplewhen the valve is in `an upper position as shownin FIGUR-E 6. As shown in FGURE 7, when the valve vis movedy to a lowerposition, the upper packing means 17 moves into alignment with therecess 34 in .the nipple adjacent the ports to-permit unobstructed owfrom the ports upwardly. around the valve and into the flow passage ofthe nipple. 'A ilow port 15a opens from the lower end of the pocket tothe interior of the nipple to permit duidsilowing :through the gas liftvalve to enter into-the `flow passage.

A movable sleeve 83 is positioned in the llanding nipple v and isslidable longitudinally therein :between a lower positionabuttinganupwardly Ifacing shoulder 8d Iin the nipple adjacent the upper end'ofthe pocket and an upper position abutting a downwardly facing shoulderd5 in said nipple. A longitudinal bore 86 extends through the sleeve andis `of la diameter corresponding to the string ottub-ing ll to which thenipple is connected. A pair of longitudi- [nal guides or ribs 87 `areaxed to the inner surface of the nipple as bywelding and extend upwardlyin correspond- Ving guide slots d8 in the sleeve to maintain the sleevein angular alignment with/the nipple.

An elise-t longitudinal'bo-re 3% through the sleeve, laterally displaced`from the bore d6, is aligned with the upper end of the .pocket and isrprovided with a locking recess 9i) thereiny in which the locking means91 of the `gas lift The locleing means 91 `of the gas lift valve, of thetype shown in detail in the patent `to Herbert C. Otis, N-o.2,'lli4,850, includes a central mandrel 92 connected to the upper end ofthe body `S3 of the valve. A locking dog carrier 94 is slidably disposedon a tubular fishing neck 95 which is threaded into the upper end of themandrel The iis-hing neck is provided with an external fishing flange 96Iadjacent its upper end which limits upward movement of the dog carrierand provides la means for connection to a suitable running tool forinstalling the valve in the pocket. A plurality of elonga e lockingIdogs y97 are swingably retained at their upper ends in theV dogcarrier, and the depending Shanks of the dogs extend downwardly through:suitable slots 93 in an external annular -ilange 99 on the mandrel. Thelower end of :the ila-nge 99 on the mandrel engages lthe upper end Vofthevsleeve 83 to limitl downward movement of the valvein the pocket,and' a dog :retaining band lo@ is disposed around the flange to ylimitthe outward movement of the `dogs in the slots of T 1e lower ends of thedogs are provided with outwardly extending locking lugs lill which lare,enga-geable in the locking recess of thesleeve ywhen the dogs are movedlaterally outwardly. VThe mandrel has a downwardly and outwardly tapereddog expander surface dit@ which moves the lower ends of the dogsoutwardly to move the lugs `into locking position when .said mandrel ismovedA upwardly relative to the dogs.

Manifestly the gas lift valve may be installed in the oftset bore 89 ofthe sleeve and in the pocket, the engagement of the liange 99 onthemandrel of the valve with the upper end of the sleeve S3 limitingdownward movement of the valve therein. As the valve is lowered into thepocket, the dogs and dog carrier are moved upwardly relative to themandrel so that the lower ends of the dolgs 'move upwardly on thetapered expander surface to auchl position that Vthe locking lugsareretracted sufficiently to permit entry of the dogs into the offset bore39; When the downward movement of the valve in the sleeve is Vstopped bythe engagement of the flan-ge 99 with the sleeve 83, the dog `carrierand the locking dogs move downwardly on the mandrel, the looking dogstheir;0F moved laterally outwardly into the locking recess. The valve isthus looked in posit-ion in the sleeve and in the pocket, and the valveis then movable longitudinally in the pocket by movement of the sleevebetween its upper and lower positions. Y

An annular shifting recess lli?,` is provided in the bore S6 of thesleevev for engagement .by a suitable 'shifting v are provided in theinner wall of the landing nipple and are so positioned in said nipplethat, when thersleeve is in the upper position in said nipple (FlGURE6i) the plungers lite enter the upper recess litt; and when said sleeveis in the lower .position (FIGURE 7 said plungers enter the lower recessll. The upper and lower shoulders of therecesses 169 and lll@I arebeveled as are the outer surfaces of the plunlgers` so that theplunlgers lare eammed inwardly from their engagementin either of thegrooves as the sleeve is moved toward the other of the grooves.V

The plungers and the plunger grooves thus coaot as a detent mechanism torelease-bly hold the sleevein either the upper position of FIGURE 6 orthe lower position of FIGURE 7 so that the sleeve is movablelongitudinally in the nipple only on the application of a force of a:certain magnitude thereto. fore the gas lint valve, is thus heldagainst inadvertent movement in the landing nipple.

In operation the 'gas lift valve is lowered through the tubing string bymeans of the `customary llexibleline and is moved laterally in thelanding nipple by means The sleeve, and thereof a deflecting tool (notshown) incorporated in the usual string of flexible line operated toolsby which the valve is lowered. The Valve is installed in the pocket andis locked in position in the locking recess of the sleeve.

It is noteworthy that the `customary running tool (not shown) isreleasably secured to the fishing flange 96 by means of shearable pins(not shown) and is released from the valve by exerting anl upward pullon the running tool relative to the valve. Thus, when the valve islockedin position in the sleeve by means of the locking dogs, an upward pullon the shing neck exerted by the running tool moves the valve and thesleeve to the upper position (FIGURE 6) wherein any flow through theports 15 of the pocket is directed through the gas lift valve to theport a and thence to the nipple ilow passage 82a. A further upward pullon the running tool shears the pins attaching the running tool to thevalve and allows the running tool to be removed from the well.

When it ris desired to move the valve to the lower position of FIGURE 7(or subsequen-tly to return it to the upper position) a suitableshifting tool of the type shown in the patent to Middleton, No.2,723,677, is lowered into the bore S6 of the nipple to move the sleevelonger seals above the ports, and `llow through said ports proceedsupwardly around the valve and emerges from the pocket into bore or flowpassage 123:1 of the landing and consequently the valve to the desiredposition; As t previously noted, the tdetent mechanism of the plungers1% and the grooves or recesses 109 and 11G holds the sleeve andconsequently the valve in either of the upper or lower positions againstinadvertent movement therefrom.

When it isdesired to remove the valve, a suitable retrieving tool islowered into the landing nipple and is deected to deliver a downwardblow to the upper end of the fishing neck at the same time grasping theexternal flange 111 at the upper end of the dog carrier. An upward pullon the dog carrier removes the dogs from locked position in the sleeve,the dogs moving inwardly as they move upwardly along the taperedexpander surface of the mandrel. Further upward movement of the dogcarrier moves the mandrel 'and the -gas litt valve itselupwardly fromposition in the landing nipple.

It will be seen that with this modified form of the invention, a portedlanding nipple and a gas lift valve have been shown and describedwherein the valve is removably installable in the nipple and in whereinthe nip-ple is provided with a sliding sleeve means to move the valvebetween a first position in which tlow through the ports of the nippleis directed into and through the gas lift valve to the nipple llowpassage and a second position in which llow through the ports is notrestricted by the valve.

It -will be seen that the valve is releasably locked in the slidingsleeve means and that the sleeve means is movable longitudinally in thenipple by means of any suitable shifting tool to move the valve betweenthe first and second positions in the nipple. It will also be seen thatthe sliding sleeve is releasably held in position Vable longitudinallytherein between an upper position as shown in FIGURE 10 and a lowerposition as shown in FIGURE ll. When the valve is in the upper position,the packing means i17 and 18 seal on either side of the lateral ports 15of the pocket to direct any flow from the ports through the valve. Whenthe valve is lowered to the position of FIGURE 11, the upper packing 17no in the pocket.

nipple through the internal ports or windows 124 in the inner wall ofthe pocket. i

A locking means 91 similar to the locking means of the form of valveshown in FIGURES 6 through 9 is engageable in the lockingrecess 122 ofthe pocket. The external annular ilange 99 on the mandrel isreduced indiameter in its lower part to enter the upper part ofthe pocket when thevalve is in its lower position in the pocket, and an enlarged portion atthe upper end `of the flange 99 engagesthe upper end of said pocket tolimit downward movement of the valve as shown in FIGURE The lockingrecess 122 of the pocket is elongated so that the locking lugs 101 mayremain in expanded locking, position on the expander surface 102 of themandrel.

A pair of snap wires or rings 126 and 127 are disposed on the mandrel 92below the expander surface for cooperation with a snap ring groove 128in the inner surface of the pocket. The snap rings are of a free sizesuch that `they resiliently enter the ring groove when they arepositioned adjacent the groove. The snap ring groove is provided withbeveled upper and lower shoulders or faces so that the snap rings arecammed inwardly from engagement with the groove on longitudinal movementof the valve in the pocket.

` The lower snap ring 1727 is so disposed on the mandrel that, when thevalve is in the upper position of FIGURE 10, the Vsnap ring enters thegroove 128. Similarly, when the valve is in the lower position ofFIG-URE ll, the lower snap ring is moved below the groove 128 while theupper snap ring 126 enters said groove. The snap rings and the groovethus constitute a detent mechanism to releasably hold the gas lift valvein either its upper or its lower position, the valve being movable fromone position to the other only on the application of a certain force tothe valve.

In operation, the gas lift valve is installed in the pocket by means ofa deilecting tool in a string or" ilexible line operated tools (notshown), the locking dogs moving upwardly on the expander surface 102 ofthe mandrel to permit their entry into the pocket and. subsequentlymoving downward on the expander surface to project into the lockingrecess and thus lock the valve in the pocket. An upward pull on therunning tool (not shown) attached to the llange 96 of the iishing neckmoves the valve upwardly to the position of FIGURE 10, the lower snapring 127 entering the groove 1278 `to prevent accidental lowering of thevalve in the pocket. At the same time the lugs of the locking dogsengage the upper face of the locking groove to positively preventremoval of 4the valve from the pocket. A further upward pull on therunning tool causes the shearable pins (not shown) attaching the runningtool to the valve to be fractured, whereupon the running tool is removedfrom the well.

The valve is moved downwardly to its lower position in the pocket by thedelivery of blows by means of suitable tool (not shown) lowered into thelanding nipple by means of a customary flexible line `and deected in thenipple by means of `a usual deflecting tool to alignment with the gaslift valve. As the valve moves downwardly, the lower snap wire is cammedinwardly from Vengagement with the groove 128, and the upper snap wireenters the groove at the same time that the enlarged portion 125 of theflange 99 stops downward movement of said valve The valve is thusreleasably held in its lower position. p

The valve is moved upwardly to its upper position by means of a suitablegripping or grasping tool (not shown) which engages and gripsthe flange96 of the lishing neck. An upward pull on the fishing neck moves thevalve upwardly to the upper position, the upper snap ring being inwardlycammed for removal from the groove 123 and priate direction on theishing neck of the vlalve.

much-as the 'application of a force to the valve is imposthe lower ringre-entering the groove. The gripping tool atomes is disengaged from theiiange 96 by `an upward pull of f valve to its upper position in thepocket.

When it is desired to remove the gas lift valve from` the pocket, asuitable iishing toolis lowered into the nipple and is deflectedintoaiignment with the upper end of said valve. The iishingtool'engagesthe tlange lll von the f ment to retracted position.Anuprward pull on the ange ,lili` then removes the valvefroml the pocketand is thenV removed upwardlyfrorn the well; Y Y

it is vnoteworthy that, if the valve is mits-lower position in thepocket (FIGURE ll), the dogs'and dog carrier are already moved upwardlyYtoward unlocked position by virtue of the engagementof the Vlower facesof the locking lugs with the upwardly facing shoulder atthe lower end ofthe lockingg'roove. ln this event, it is unnecessary` for the pulling.tool to move the mandrel Adownwardly relative to the dogs (andfsuchmovement would`v indeed by prevented by the engagement. of theV enlargedportion i225 of the-vilange 99 with the upper end,

ofthe mandrel), and the valve is removed by a direct upward pull on *thedogV carrier. Y

With this form of the invention it isro'ovious that a blind lor dummyvalve (not shown) could be substituted tor the gas lift valve 123v inwhich case, when the dummy valve is-in the upper position yas shown inFIGURE l0, the liow through the .ports ofthe pocket is simply closedoil,

Y while when the dummy valve is in the lower position of FlGURE ll, iiowis permitted through the ports 15 in the same manner as when the gaslift valve 123` is in the lower position.

it will `be seen that, with this form of the invention, a landing nippleand a ygas lift valve therefor have been shown and describ-ed whereinthe valve is removably installed in said landing nipple, the valve beingmovableV between a iirst position in which :any iiow through the portsof the nipple is directed through the valve and a seoond'position inwhich unrestricted llow isV permitted through the ports without beingconfined to tlow through the valve. It will be seen that the valve isreleasably held in eitherof thetwo positions described; and it wil-1further be seen that the valve, `when installed in the 'landing nipple,is locked against inadvertent removal therefrom.' v t lt will be -seenthat Athe valve is Imovable between th iirst and'second positions by adirect force in the approlnassible without the use of a deileoting toolto move the forceapplying instrumentality to the proximity of thevalve,V

it is apparent that the'passage of other well tools through Va magnitudegreater than that necessary to move the nipple; and means on saidhousing and saidV gas lift valve cro-engageable to position said gaslift valve in said nipple lat a first position in which said seal meanson said gas lift valve areposition-ed on opposite sides of said port insaid nip-ple for directing iiow from said port into said nipple throughsaid valve, and la second position in which said seal Ameansraredis-posed on the same side of said port in said nipple opening said portto permit iiow with said bore to connect said nipple :to a stringofwell` pipe; a valve pocket in said nipple laterally oiset from thebore of said nipple, saidpocket having a port opening p to the exteriorof said nipple; a valve removably-positioned in said pocket; said valvehaving la iiow passage therethrough with a-lateral opening intermediatethe ends of said valve Vand external seal means on said valve onopposite sides of said lateral openingsaid seal means being disposed toengage said valve Ipocket on opposite sides of said port when in a firstposition for sealing between said valve and said pocket whereby saidport and said lateralopening are disposed in sealed communication forllow of fluids therethrough; operating moms in said nipple slidiablelongitudinally therein between -a first :and a second position; andlatch means on said operating means and said valve cooperatinglyengageable to releasably oonvneet said v-alve to said operating means;said operating means moving said valve between a iir'st position inwhich said seal means on said valve lare disposed on opposite sides ofthe pont of said pocket for directing flow from the port of said pocketthrough the ow passage of said valve when said operating means is movedto said iirst position;

pipe; a valve pocket in said nipple laterally oil-set from .Y

the Vbore of said nipple, said pocket having ya port opening to theexterior of said nipple; a valve removably positioned in said pocket;`said valve'rhaving a iiow passage therethrough with a lateral openingintermediate the ends of said valve; 1a pair of longitudinally spacedannular seal means on the exterior of said valve on opposite sides ofsaid lateral opening and engageable with the bore wall of saidpocket forsealing between said valve and said pocket;

la sleeve in said bore of said nipple slidable longitudinally thelandingnipple will not inadvertently move the gas lift valve from theselected position lto Kthe non-selected position.-A lt is also apparentthat the gas litt valve can easily 'be removedfrom the landing nipplewithout regard to which ofthe two positions inthe pocket the vailve-happens tov occupy.

'Ilhe foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, andchanges in the details of the construction illustrated may be made bythose skilled in the art, with in the scope of the appended claims,without departing from the spi-rit of the invention. Y

What is claimed and Vdesired to be secured -by Letters Patent is:

l. AV Well tool including: a landing nipple provided with a lateralport; a gas lift valve removably installed in said nipple,l` said gaslitt valve having a ow passage therethrough with a lateral openingintermediate the ends of said valve,fand external seal means thereonspaced longitudinally on opposite sides of` said lateral opening,s-aidrseal means .bein-g disposed to engage said landing Vthereinbetween a irst rand a second position; latch means onVsa-id sleeve andsaid valve oooperatingly eng/agea'ble to r'eleasably,V connect `saidvalvefto-said sleeve means; said sleeve moving' said valve to la firstposition in Which-said seal means on said valve V,are disposed onopposite 'sides' of said port of said pocket for directing ilow throughthe port ot said pocket through said flow passage `of said valve whensaidl sleeve is moved to said tirstposi-tion; said sleeve moving saidvalve to a second position in which said seal -means are disposed on thesame side of said port of said pocket for opening said port for liowinto said nipple without passage through said liow passage of said valvewhen said sleeve is moved 4to said second position; and means on saidsleeve and said nipple restraining said sleeve from movement from eitherof said irst and second Y positions.

4. A well tool including: a landing nipple having la bore therethroughand having means at each end aligned with said bore to conneot saidnipple to a string of well pipe; a

t valve pocket in said nipple laterally offset from the bore sagetherethrough with a lateral opening inter-mediate the ends thereofremovably positionable in said pocket; a pair of longitudinally spacedsealing means on said valve on opposite sides of said lateral openingland sealingly enfgageable with the walls of said pocket; land means onsaid valve and said pocket releasab-ly locking said valve in saidpocket; said means on said valve and said pocket locking said valve insaid pocket permitting said valve when locked in said pocket to bemioved longitudinally therein between a first and a second position;said sealing means sealing on either side of said por-t in said pocketwhen said valve -is in said first position to confine any flow from saidport to said -bore to said lateral yopening `of said passage throughsaid valve; said sealing means being moved to a position sealing `onlyon one side of said port when said valve is in said second position topermit flow through said port andsaid pocket 4to said bore withoutpassage through the flow passage of said valve.

5. A well tool including: a landing nipple having a bore therethroughand having means at each end aligned with4 said bore to connect saidnipple to a string of well pipe; a Valve pocket in said nippleVlaterally offset from the bore through said nipple, said pocket havingport opening to the exteriorr thereof; a iiow control valve having aflow passage therethrough with a llateral opening intermediate the `endsthereof and removably positionable in said pocket; -a pair oflongitudinally spaced external sealing means yon said valve on oppositesides of said lateral opening and sealingly engageable with rthe wallsof said pocket; means on said valve and said pocket releasably lockingsaid valve in said pocket; said means on said valve and said pocketreleas-ably locking said valve in said pocket permitting said valve whenlocked in said pocket to be moved longitudinally therein between -afirst and a second position; said sealing means sealing on either sideof the port in said pocket when said valve is in said firs-t position toconfine any flow from said port to said bore through said lateralopening and said passage of said valve; said sealing means being movedto a posi-tion sealing only on one side .of said pont when said valve isin said secondV valve pocket in said nipple laterally offset from thebore through said nipple, said pocket having a port opening to theexterior thereof; a liow control valve having a iiow passagetherethrough with a later-al opening intermediate 7. As asub-combination in a well -tool of the character described, a landingnipple having a longitudinal through bore for use in a string of wellpipe, said nipple including: a valve-receiving pocket laterally offsetlfrom said bore; said pocket having a port opening to the exterior ofsaid nipple; a sleeve disposed in said nipple and slidablelongitudinally therein between a iirst and a second position and havinga bore therethrough aligned with lthe 4bore through saidnipple;.,restraining means on said sleeve and said nipple cooperativelyengageable to releasably hold said sleeve in each of said positionsagainst undesired movement therefrom; and latch means `on said sleeveengageable by cooperating latch means on a gas lift valve installable insaid pocket to link said valve to said sleeve for movement therewith.

8. As a sub-combination in a well tool of the character described, alanding nipple having a longitudinal through bore Ifor use in a stringof Well pipe, said nipple including: a Valve-receiving pocket laterallyoffset from said bore; said .pocket having a port opening to theexterior of said nipple; a sleeve disposed in said nipple and slidablelongitudinally therein between a first and a second position and havinga bore therethrough aligned lwith the bore through said nipple;restraining means on said sleeve and said nipple cooperativelyengageable to releasably hold said sleeve in each of said positionsagainst undesired movement therefrom; latch means on said sleeveengageable by cooperating latch means on a gas lift valve installable insaid pocket to link said valve to said sleeve lfor movement therewith;and means on said sleeve and said nipple maintaining said latch means onsaid sleeve in engaging alignment with said valve.

9. As a sub-combination in a well tool of the character describer, alanding nipple having a longitudinal through bore for use in a string ofWell pipe, said nipple including: a valve-receiving pocket laterallyoffset from said bore; said pocket having a port opening to the exteriorof said nipple; a sleeve disposed in said nipple and slidablelongitudinally therein between a first and a second position and havinga bore therethrough aligned with the bore through said nipple;restraining means on said sleeve and said nip-ple -cooperativelyengageable to the ends thereof and removably positionable in saidpocket; a pair of longitudinally spaced extern-alisealing means 'on saidValve on opposite sides of said lateral opening 'and sealinglyengagea-ble with the walls of said pocket; means on said valve and saidpocket releasably `locking said valve in said pocket; said means on saidvalve and said pocket releasably locking said valve in said'pocketpermitting said valve when locked in said pocket to be movedlongitudinally therein between la first and la `second position; saidsealing means sealing on either side of said port 'in said pocket whensaid valve is in said iirst posi-tion to confine any iiow from said portthrough said lateral opening and said passage of said valve `and intosaid bore,` said sealing means being -moved to a position sealing onlyon one side lof said port when said valve is in said second position topermit ow from said port into said bore without passage through saidflow passage of said Valve; and holdin-g means on said valve and saidpocket releasably holding said valve in said first and second positions;the `bore through said nipple providing an unobstructed openingtherethrough of a minimum dimension approximating the diameter of the`string of wel-l pipe.

releasably hold said sleeve in each `of said positions against undesiredmovement therefrom; latch means on said sleeve engageable by cooperatinglatch means on a gas lift valve installable insaid pocket to link saidvalve to said sleeve -for movement therewith; means on said sleeveengageable by a shifting tool whereby said shifting tool may selectivelymove said sleeve between said first and second positions.

l0. A landing nipple of the character set forth in claim 7 wherein therestraining means comprises a detent mechamsm. Y v

i 11. As a sub-combination in a well tool of the characted described, a`landing nipple having a longitudinal bore therethrough for use in astring of well pipe, said nipple including: a valve-receiving pocketlaterally offsetfrom said bore; said pocket having a port opening to theexterior of said nipple; a sleeve member disposed in said nipple andslidable longitudinally therein between a iirst and a second positionand having a first bore therethrough aligned with the bore through saidnipple and a second .bore aligned with said pocket; means onsaid sleevemember and said nipple engaging one another to maintain said second borealigned with said pocket; `a locking recess in said second boreengageable by a locking means on a gas lift valve on insertion. of saidvalve into said second bore and said pocket to hold said valve in saidpocket; said valve being movable longitudinally in said pocket withsaidsleeve when said sleeve member `is moved in said nipple; and holdingmeans on said sleeve member and said nipple releasably holding saidsleeve in each of said first and second positions.

12. As a sub-combination in a well tool of the character described, alanding nipple having a longitudinal bore therethrough for use in astring of Well pipe, said nipple including: a valve-receiving pocketlaterally olset from said bore; said pocket having a port opening to theexterior of said nipple; a sleeve member disposed in Ving means on a gaslift valve on insertion of said valve Vinto said second -bore and saidpocket to hold said valve in said pocket; said valve being movablelongitudinally in said pocket with said sleeve when said sleeve memberis moved in said nipple; holding means on said sleeve member and saidnipple releasably holding said sleeve in each of said first and secondpositions; and a groove in "said `lirs'ttbore means engageable by ashifting tool whereby 'said'sleeve ,may be moved selectively betweensaid rst and said -second positions.

' 13. ln combination, a landing nipple having a longitudinal -boretherethrough for use in :a string offwell pipe, and la gas lift valve,said nipple including an openended valve-receiving pocket laterallyodset from said bore; said pocket having a port opening to the exterioror said nipple; `a sleeveV disposed in said nipple below the lower endof said pocket and .slidable longitudinally in said nipple between aiirst and .a second position .and having a bore therethrough alignedwith the bore through said nipple; and :a resilient latch means on saidsleeve engaging Vsaid .gas lift valve on insertion of said valve intosaid pocket tol releasably hold said valve in said pocket; said sleevebeing selectively movable to said first or second position by a suitableIshifting tool, said valvebeing moved Y valve being moved to a positionpermitting llow from` said portato said bore without passage thnough thelow passage of said valve when said sleeve is moved to said secondposition.

14. In combination, a landing nipple having a'longitudinal boretherethrough for use ina string of well pipe, and ya gas lift valve,said nipple including: an open-ended valve-receiving pocket laterallyodset from said bore; said pocket having a port opening to the exteriorof said nipple; a sleeve'idisposed in said nipple below the lower end ofsaid pocket land slidable longitudinally in said nipple lbetween a lirstand a second position and havingV a bore therethrough aligned with thebore through said nippleya resilient latch 'means on said sleeve forengaging said gaslift valve `onA insertion of said valve into saidpocket to releasably hold said valve in said pocket; said sleeve beingselectively movable to said iirst and second positions 4by a suitableshifting tool, said valve' being moved in said pocket. by movement ofsaid sleeve; said valve 'having a llow passage thereon and external sealmeans surrounding said ilow passage and engaging the bore wall of saidpocket for cominingtliow through said port to flow through the flowpassage of said valve when Vsaid sleeve is moved to said first position;said external seal means on said valve being moved to a positionpermitting unrestricted flow through said port when said sleeve is'moved to said second position; land means on said sleeve and said nipplemaintaining said latch means in engaging alignment with said valve.

l5. A landing nipple ofthe chanacter set forth in claim l4'including: .aresilient holding means on said sleeve and said nipple releasablyholding said sleeve in each or" said first and second positions againstinadvertent movement therefrom. Y

16. ln combination, a landing nipple having a bore therethrough for usein a string of. well pipe, 'and a gas lift vmve, said landing nippleincluding: a valve-receiving pocket having an open upper end and lateraloffset from said bore; said pocket having a port opening tothe exterioror said nipple; an elongate locking recess in said pocket; saidrvalveincluding a central mandrel; a locking dog carrier mounted on saidmandrel for 4limited longitudinal movement thereon; a plurality ofelongate locking dogs swingably suspended from said carrier; a taperedexpander section on mandrel moving the lower ends of said dogs laterallyoutward-ly to expanded position Von downwardmoven'ient ots-aid carrierrelative to said mandrei; locking lugs on said dogs yprotrudingoutwardly therefrom; said locking lugs entering said locking recess tolimit upward movement of said valve in said pocket when said dogs aremoved to expanded position; stop means on said valve engageable withsaid pocket to limit downward movement of said valve in said pocket;said valve being movable through a limited distance between the upperposition limited by said locking lugs and the lower position limited bysaid stop means on said valve; said valve being removable from saidpocket by upward movement ot said carrier and said dogs relative to saidmandrel to release said Vdogsgfor inward lateral movement;

sage of said valve whensaid valve is in one of said upperand lowerpositions in said nipple; said sealing means being moved to a positionuncovering said port for allo'wing ilow from said port to said bore whensaid valve is in the other of said upper and lower positions.

17. ln combination, a landing nipple having la bore therethrough for usein a string of well pipe, and a gas liftvalve, said landing nippleincluding: avalve-receivng pocket having an "open upper end andlaterally olset from said bore; salid pocket having a port opening totheexterior of said nipple; an elongate lock-ing'recess in said pocket;said valve including a central mandrel; a vlocking therefrom; saidlocking lugs entering said locking'recessV` to limit upward movementV ofsaid valve in said pocket Vwhen said'dogs are moved to expandedposition; stop means on said valve engageable with said pocket to limitY downward movement of said valve in said pocket;salid valve beingmovable in said pocket through a, limited distance between theupper'position limited by saidlocking lugs and the lower positionlimited by said stop means on said valve; said valve being removablefrom said pocket by upward movement of said carrier and said dogsrelative to said mandrel to release said dogs for inward lateralmovement; said valve having a flow passage therethrougli with a lateralopening; external sealing means onV opposite sides of said lateralopening ofisad valve engaging said pocket; said sealing means confiningany tlow through the port of said pocket to l'low through the lateralopening Vand llow passage of said valve to said Y bore whenr said valveis in one of said upper and lower positions in-said nipple; said sealingmeans beingmoved to a position uncovering said port forow'therethroughto said bore unhampered by said valvewhensaid vallve is in the otherlofsaid upper and Ylower positions; said valve being movable between saidupperand lower posi-- tions by the. application of a direct force tosaid'mandrel.

13. Vin combination a landing-nipplehaving arboreV therethrough for usein a string ofl well pipe, and a gas lift valve, said landing nippleincluding: a valve-receiving pocket having an open upper end `andlaterally oiset from said bore; a port in said pocket opening to theexterior of said nipple; 'an elongate locking recess in said pocket;said valve including a central mandrel; a locking dog carrier mounted onsaid mandrel for limiting longitudinal movement thereon; a plurality ofelongate looking dogs swingably suspended from said carrier; a taperedexpander section yon said mandrel moving the lower ends of said dogslaterally outwardly to expanded position on downward movement of saidcarrier relative to said mandrel; locking lugs on said dogs protrudingoutwardly therefrom; said loclning lugs entering said locking recess tolimit upward movement of said valve in said pocket when said dogs aremoved to expanded position; stop means on said valve engageable withsaid pocket to limit downward movement of said valve in said pocket;said valve being movable in said pocket through a limited distancebetween the upper position limited by said locking lugs and the lowerposition limited by said stop means on said valve; said valve beingremovable from said pocket by upward movement of said carrier and saiddogs relative to said mandrel to release said dogs for inward lateralmovement; said valve having a flow passage therethrough with a lateralopening external sealing means on opposite sides of said lateral openingof said valve engaging said pocket; said sealing means confining anyiiow through the lateral opening and ow passage of the port of saidpocket to flow through said val-ve when said valve is in one of saidupper and lower positions in said nipple; said seal-ing means being in aposition uncovering said port for ilow therethrough unhampered by saidvalve when said valve is in the other of said upper and lower positions;and holding means on said valve and said pocket engageable to releasablyhold said valve in said upper and lower positions in said pocket.

19. In combination, a landing nipple having a bore therethrough for usein a string of well pipe, and a gas lift valve, said landing nippleincluding: a valve-receiving pocket having an open upper end andlaterally oiiset from said bore; a port in said pocket opening to theexterior of said nipple; an elongate locking recess in said pocket; saidvalve including a central mandrel; a locking dog toarrier mounted onsaid mandrel for limited longitudinal movement thereon; a plurality ofelongate locking dogs swingably suspended from said canrier; a taperedexpander section on said mandrel moving the lower ends tof said dogslaterally outwardly to expanded position on downward movement of saidcarrier relative to said mandrel; locking lugs on said dogs pnotnudingoutwardly therefrom; said lock-ing lugs entering said locking recess tolimit upward movement of said valve in said pocket when said dogs taremoved to expanded position; stop means ion said valve engageable withsaid pocket to limit downward movement of said valve in said pocket;said valve being movable in `said pocket through a limited distancebetween the upper position limited by said locking lugs and the lowerposition limited by said stop means [on said valve; said valve ibeingremovable :Enom said pocket by upward movement of said carrier and saiddogs relative to said mandrel to release said dogs for inward lateralmovement; said valve having a flow said valve and said pocket engageableto releasalbly hold said valve in said upper and lower positions in saidpocket; said holding means including a groove means in one tof saidvalve and pocket and a resilient means on the other of -said valve andpocket, said resilient means being urged into holding engagement in saidgroove means; said 'groove means and said resilient means including cammeans [to disengage said resilient means :from said groove means onapplication of the longitudinal dorce to said valve of a certainmagnitude.

20. A device oi the type described including: a landing nippleconnecta'ble in a pipe string and having a ow passage aligned with thebore of said pipe string; said landing nipple having means providing avalve-receiving pocket having a Ilateral port providing communicationbetween the exterior tot said nipple and said pocket, said pocket meansIbeing laterally toiset from said flow passage; a valve having a tlowpassage .therethrough with a lateral opening intermediate the endsthereof and external sealing means surrounding said lateral opening,said valve meansbeing insertable in said pocket means, said valve meanshaving locking and releasaible restraining means thereon; means on saidpocket coopenable with said locking land restraining means [orf saidvalve receivable in said pocket for llocking said valve in said pocketwhile penmitting limited movement of said valve between said rst andsecond positions in said pocket; said external seal means on said valvebein-g disposed in engagement with the Ibore fwall or said pocket tooonneot the latenail lopening o-f the flow passage of said valve in flow:communication with the lateral port of said pocket when said valve isin one of said iirstand second positions, said external seal means onsaid valve being in :a position permitting iiow of iluid through saidlateral port of said pocket means without flowing through the passageott said valve means when said valve i-s in the other of said lirst andsecond positions.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. A WELL TOOL INCLUDING: A LANDING NIPPLE PROVIDED WITH A LATERAL PORT;A GAS LIFT VALVE REMOVABLY INSTALLED IN SAID NIPPLE, SAID GAS LIFT VALVEHAVING A FLOW PASSAGE THERETHROUGH WITH A LATERAL OPENING INTERMEDIATETHE ENDS OF SAID VALVE, AND EXTERNAL SEAL MEANS THEREON SPACEDLONGITUDINALLY ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID LATERAL OPENING, SAID SEALMEANS BEING DISPOSED TO ENGAGE SAID LANDING NIPPLE; AND MEANS ON SAIDHOUSING AND SAID GAS LIFT VALVE CO-ENGAGEABLE TO POSITION SAID GAS LIFTVALVE IN SAID NIPPLE AT A FIRST POSITION IN WHICH SAID SEAL MEANS ONSAID GAS LIFT VALVE ARE POSITIONED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PORT INSAID NIPPLE FOR DIRECTING FLOW FROM SAID PORT INTO SAID NIPPLE THROUGHSAID VALVE, AND A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH SAID SEAL MEANS ARE DISPOSEDON THE SAME SIDE OF SAID PORT IN SAID NIPPLE OPENING SAID PORT TO PERMITFLOW OF FLUIDS DIRECTLY INTO SAID NIPPLE WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH SAIDFLOW PASSAGE OF SAID VALVE.